Spurs continue to make history with 19th consecutive playoff appearance

Tony Parker discusses tactics with Gregg Popovich as the Spurs host the Pistons at the AT&T Center on March 2, 2016.

Tony Parker discusses tactics with Gregg Popovich as the Spurs host the Pistons at the AT&T Center on March 2, 2016.

Photo: TOM REEL, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Photo: TOM REEL, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Tony Parker discusses tactics with Gregg Popovich as the Spurs host the Pistons at the AT&T Center on March 2, 2016.

Tony Parker discusses tactics with Gregg Popovich as the Spurs host the Pistons at the AT&T Center on March 2, 2016.

Photo: TOM REEL, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Spurs continue to make history with 19th consecutive playoff appearance

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Another season, another playoff appearance for the Spurs.

It shouldn't necessarily be considered a birthright for San Antonio fans, but during the Tim Duncan era, it appears to have become one.

The Spurs will stretch their current 19-season streak with Sunday's game against Memphis. They have qualified for the playoffs each season that Duncan has been a member of the team. The last season they failed to qualify was in 1996-97 -- Gregg Popovich's first season with the team and the year before Duncan was selected in the draft.

Here's how the current streak ranks in NBA history.

22 - Syracuse/Philadelphia 1950-71

21 - Portland 1983-2003

20- Utah 1984-2003

19 - San Antonio 1998-current

19 - Boston 1951-69

17 - L.A. Lakers 1977-1993

16 - Minneapolis/L.A. Lakers 1959-74

14 - Fort Wayne/Detroit 1950-63

14 - Chicago 1985-98

14 - New York 1988-2001

13 - Phoenix 1989-2001

Among the 16 teams that made the playoffs this season, here's how they rank in terms of consecutive playoff appearances.